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BRIDGETON – A Vineland man charged this week with murdering his brother in Dec. 2011 allegedly buried the body, before later digging it up and dismembering it with a hatchet or an ax, according to authorities.

Authorities also say David Rauner killed his brother Steven Rauner by stabbing him in the heart with a dagger and beating him with a rock.

David Rauner, 53, appeared in Cumberland County Superior Court Thursday morning for an arraignment on murder and other charges before Judge Robert Malestein. He was also accused of threatening his now ex-wife, Barbara Degregorio, authorities said.

Steven Rauner, a Millville resident, was 46 when he was reported missing to Millville police in late 2012.

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(Photo: Joe Lamberti/Staff Photographer)

In addition to murder, David Rauner was charged with desecration of human remains, terroristic threats, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, tampering with evidence and four counts of weapons offenses, according to authorities.

After entering the courtroom Thursday, David Rauner looked behind him at his two sisters at two points during the proceeding. On both occasions he was ordered by Cumberland County Sheriff's officers to turn around and face Malestein.

After the arraignment, Cumberland County Assistant Prosecutor Mike Ostrowski declined comment on matters surrounding Steven Rauner's death, as well as the alleged threat David Rauner made toward Degregorio.

Ostrowski identified the two sisters, who were escorted from the courtroom during the proceeding, only by their first names — Peggy and Donna.

David Rauner had already been jailed since April 30 for another incident, in which he was charged with four weapons offenses, two counts of aggravated assault and criminal attempt, according to Cumberland County Jail records.

The new charges were announced Wednesday, nearly two weeks after authorities discovered human remains in a wooded area off Shirley Court in Vineland, about half a block from David Rauner's home. Investigators also found human remains in other areas of the city, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office.

Police in Vineland, Millville and authorities from the Prosecutor's Office began to hone in on David Rauner after Millville police recently received information related to the missing person investigation.

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Newfield resident Joe Rauner lifts caution tape for the medical examiner leaving the scene involving an investigation of human remains by the intersection of Shirley Ct and S West Ave in Vineland. Rauner's brother was reported missing three years ago. Joe Lamberti/Staff Photographer

Newfield resident Joe Rauner looks on as an investigation involving human remains ensues near the intersection of Shirley Ct and S West Ave in Vineland. Rauner's brother was reported missing three years ago. Joe Lamberti/Staff Photographer

Newfield resident Joe Rauner lifts caution tape for a Bobcat used on scene by the intersection of Shirley Ct and S West Ave in Vineland. Rauner's brother was reported missing three years ago. Joe Lamberti/Staff Photographer

Newfield resident Joe Rauner, whose brother went missing three years ago, is taken inside the police mobile unit to hear details of the investigation Friday afternoon in Vineland. Joe Lamberti/Staff Photographer